Educational Leadership

suspensions from school. Over the past three years, we’ve had zero suspensions and only 44 discipline referrals. Further, we’ve had only one incident of fighting.

A collaborative atmosphere of mutual respect and problem solving dominates the school climate. In his New York Times article on homelessness, Michael Winerip (2011) described Fern Creek as “a sanctuary for children.” Fern Creek has become a place where the phrase school family actually describes what happens here.

School Family Rituals

Children who are fortunate enough to grow up in families in which dinner conversation is the norm and a bedtime story tops off the night understand the feeling of having routines and rituals as part of everyday life. Our students who live in unstable, disadvantaged homes often know only unpredictability and chaos. School family rituals are a vital component in building trust and relationships with students who put up emotional roadblocks, such as withdrawing or acting out, that can interfere with learning.

One of the rituals embedded in Fern Creek’s school culture is the monthly school family assembly. Assemblies are a time for the entire student body to come together as we welcome new students, celebrate birthdays, sing, reinforce the character education trait of the month, and inspire student achievement by recognizing students’ recent academic efforts. Students come on stage to make announcements about positive things going on in their lives. By celebrating successes and uniting with one another as a school family, students feel connected to the school and to one another.

Another ritual is the morning greeting. Staff members enter each bus and greet the students with, “Good morning, Fern Creek Scholars!” They review the day’s agenda and then dismiss students according to morning arrival procedures. This includes walking in a quiet, single-file line and

receiving greetings from other staff members, including the principal, at stopping points along the way to breakfast. Staff members are strategically located so they can greet students who arrive as walkers, day-care van riders, or car riders. We also consistently remind students that “you’re safe, and you can handle this,” which reassures them that we care.

Another established ritual that helps break down barriers between home and school is involving parents. Fern Creek holds family nights throughout the year to enable teachers, parents, and students to learn and have fun together. At math night, students and

Fern Creek has
become a place
where the phrase
school family actually
describes what
happens here.

parents play a variety of math-enhanced games; at reading night, students and parents engage in book making, storytelling, and literature exploration; and at science night, families complete scientific experiments.

In addition, Fern Creek hosts a community outreach night. Faculty travel to a neighborhood recreation center near students’ homes and to the Coalition for the Homeless to engage students and parents in educational activities. This enables parents without transportation to participate in their child’s school life.

To encourage attendance at family nights, we offer meals and transportation, as well as door prizes and educational “take home” materials, such as free books, math games, and reading and math fluency practice cards.

Rock 2: Increased Community
Involvement

When we looked at our student population, we saw that many students came from families with limited financial resources and restricted education and world experiences. Basic needs such as food, clothing, and school supplies were often unavailable. Experiences that enable students to dream about the future and commit to school success were in short supply.

Addressing these needs was beyond the scope of the typical school budget and required us to form partnerships with community agencies and businesses. Knowing that communicating with community partners is key to successful sustained partnerships, Fern Creek has a dedicated, full-time community coordinator to spearhead and maintain all community-based programs.

Important Partnerships

Although all partnerships within the community are important to student success, some partners go above and beyond. Rollins College, a private liberal arts college located five miles from Fern Creek, is one such partner. During any given week, approximately 100 Rollins students and faculty are involved at Fern Creek in the mentoring program, service days, and class tutoring projects. In addition, Rollins faculty members collaborate with Fern Creek teachers to tackle academic tasks that our students are having difficulty with. For example, one Rollins professor works with a 4th grade teacher to teach students the writing process.

Moreover, every year, the college hosts all Fern Creek students for a college awareness day on its campus. The program, aptly named Pathways to College, gives our students a firsthand look into a possible future as a college student and into the opportunities that path might provide.